Tealyra Black Dragon Pearls Yunnan Black Tea

You only need 3-5 pearls per pot, which makes this tea surprisingly economical despite the premium price. The real value comes from resteeping—these pearls hold up well for 2-3 rounds of infusion. Just give them a gentle stir between steepings to help them unfurl completely, as they're tightly rolled and don't always open fully on their own.

This is a smooth, medium-bodied black tea with honey and cocoa notes—some drinkers even pick up dark chocolate and malty undertones. What really stands out is the complete lack of astringency, so there's no bitterness or dryness on your palate. That said, there's a noticeable smokey, almost firewood-like aroma that divides people—some love the complexity it adds, while others find it overpowering.

Absolutely. Multiple reviewers specifically mention the strong, long-lasting caffeine kick—we're talking 3+ hours of sustained alertness. If you're looking for a tea that can genuinely replace your morning coffee, this is a solid contender. The energy boost is one of the most consistently praised features.

Yes, with one caveat. The pearls are visually impressive and easy to measure (just count out 3-5), and watching them unfurl in a clear pot is genuinely entertaining. However, you'll need to pay attention to steeping time—this tea can turn bitter if you oversteep it. Start with 3-4 minutes and adjust from there. The multiple infusions also give you room to experiment and learn without wasting tea.

There have been isolated reports of contamination—specifically human hair found tangled in the pearls and one instance of a beetle. While these appear to be rare incidents and the leaf quality itself is generally praised as full-leaf and premium, it's worth inspecting your pearls before brewing, especially if you're sensitive to hygiene issues.

Use water just off the boil (around 200-205°F) and steep for 3-4 minutes for the first infusion. The key trick: give the pearls a gentle stir after a minute or so to help them unfurl completely—they're very tightly compressed and won't always open on their own. Use a clear teapot if you have one; watching them bloom is half the fun. For second and third steepings, you can go a bit longer, 4-5 minutes.